The Florida Panthers traveled to Massachusetts for the first two games of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs eager to prove they could play with the Boston Bruins, even though the Bruins set a single-season record for wins and the Panthers didn’t qualify for the playoffs until the final days of the regular season.
They did it in Game 1 by playing a tight, highly competitive game in Boston on Monday and did even more in Game 2 on Wednesday. Florida never trailed, didn’t give up a single even-strength goal and blew away the Bruins in the third period to stun the Presidents’ Trophy winners, 6-3.
Goaltender Alex Lyon, starting his 10th straight game, was again spectacular, making 34 saves on 37 shots. Center Sam Bennett, back from a 13-game injury absence, set a new tone with seven shots and the opening goal. Star defenseman Brandon Montour scored twice during the Panthers’ third-period avalanche and Florida will go back to Sunrise with the series tied 1-1.
